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Hello Bergen County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Hot dog rankings, family karaoke night, and 3D print lab + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Bergen County help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Local favorites make the cut: NJ.com ranked New Jersey’s 59 best hot dog joints, and seven in Bergen County made the list, including Hiram’s in Fort Lee and Boulevard Dogs n More in Hasbrouck Heights -- see the full rankings.
New sparkle at the mall: California jewelry brand gorjana opened at American Dream in East Rutherford, offering 14k gold and diamond collections and donating over $2 million to causes supporting women and children -- shop the new collections.
New dining arrival planned: Raising Cane’s will open its first Bergen County location in Paramus at 55 East Route 4, near Bergen Town Center and Route 17, taking over the former Stickley furniture site -- see where Cane's lands.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Chase that vintage tone: Lark Street Music is the local go-to for used and vintage guitars, amps, and banjos that make practice feel like play. Peek their "Just In!!" and "Instruments In Stock" pages this week, then tell yourself you’re only window shopping… famous last words.
Watch, sip, repeat: Whether it’s a must-win or just background noise, The Whiskey Priest in Hackensack nails the sports bar sweet spot. Whiskey-forward cocktails, solid wings and burgers, plus a surprisingly legit brunch make it an easy call for game nights and group hangs when you need zero fuss and maximum fun.
Clear out and cash in: Ron's Buy Sell Trade turns those Jordans, Yeezys, designer handbags, watches, streetwear, even electronics and gold into instant cash with walk-in service and expert authentication. Perfect for Bergen County closets, swing by when the decluttering bug bites and leave lighter, happier, and a bit richer.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎤 Family Karaoke Night @ Girl Scout DreamLab (Paramus) | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:00 PM – Warm up those shower solos and head to Family Karaoke Night. Belt out the classics, clap for the brave relatives, and enjoy an evening of surprisingly good voices, delightfully off-key anthems, and the kind of laughter that counts as core work.
🛍 August Sale Days @ Downtown Ridgewood | Thursday (8/6) at 9:00 AM – Take a break from errands and wander downtown for Ridgewood’s August Sale Days, marking 70 years of bargains and neighbor sightings. Grab a Waldo map at Bookends, hunt sidewalk specials, let kids get face paint, and soak up music and a cheesy car photo booth.
🌟 Girl Scout DreamLab Discovery Day @ Girl Scout DreamLab (Paramus) | Thursday (8/6) at 10:00 AM – DreamLab Discovery Day is kid heaven for younger girls, with hands-on tinkering, creative challenges, and mini maker madness. Let them try new things, make friends, and burn off energy while you sip coffee, supervise lightly, and call it quality time.
🍽 Summer 2026 - Week 6: Summer Foodie Favorites @ The Flavor Labs (Paramus) | Friday (8/7) at 9:00 AM – Think summer tastes better without the cleanup? In Paramus, this hands-on class tackles campfire bites, BBQ standouts, and poolside sweets and savories, all the nostalgia, none of the mosquitoes, sandy coolers, or Uncle Tony’s “secret” marinade lecture. Your patio will thank you.
📚 Saturday Storytime @ Bogota Public Library | Saturday (8/8) at 11:00 AM – Miss Jen is back, and Saturday Storytime is your kid-friendly jumpstart to the weekend at the library. Expect silly songs, cozy reads, and that rare moment when everyone listens at the same time. Heads up, it is one child per spot, because organization still matters.
🎭 Rise Improv Workshop for Teens @ Maurice M. Pine Free Public Library (Fair Lawn) | Monday (8/10) at 3:45 PM – Whether your kid’s already auditioning at the dinner table or needs an outlet for that Olympic eye roll, this grades 6-12 improv workshop is a solid play. RISE will cover games and theater skills to tackle teen issues, plus a fall volunteer opportunity.
🖨 3D Print Lab @ Girl Scout DreamLab (Paramus) | Tuesday (8/11) at 2:00 PM – Whether you still brag about that pinewood derby car or you just like gadgets, DreamLab's hands-on 3D Print Lab turns napkin sketches into real stuff. Learn the basics, see the printers in action, and leave with a custom creation, mild bragging rights, and zero splinters.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Bergen County report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 36%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 43%
A slight chance of rain showers before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. This house is wildThis custom-built all-brick home blends luxury and convenience on a quiet street beside the park and just moments from town. It offers 5 large bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a dramatic two-story foyer, and a gourmet kitchen with a center island and top-tier finishes. The walk-out lower level adds a recreation room, office, and two-car garage.
Take a peek inside → |
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